Size-dependent lipidomics and fatty acid profiles of fat globules in buffalo milk

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the lipid and fatty acid profiles of buffalo milk fat globules of varying sizes (1.22 μm and 11.48 μm). A comparison of lipidomics revealed that functional lipids were more abundant in small fat globules (18.9%) than in large ones (15%). Additionally, the abundance of the five major phospholipids was highest on the interface of small fat globules. A total of 84 differential lipids were identified in different-sized fat globules, with KEGG pathways related to human diseases primarily enriched in insulin resistance. Fatty acid analysis indicated that PUFAs and SFAs were more abundant in small and large fat globules, respectively, and that large fat globules contained two fatty acids (henicosanoic acid and nervonic acid) absent in small ones. These results indicate that small fat globules are suitable for nutrient enrichment of buffalo milk, whereas large fat globules can be used to produce MFGM ingredients.